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“We need to speak with Kelvin.” Levi flicked a look at him. The male was hunched over a customer, a buzzing tattoo gun in hand. The mere sight of him made Levi’s demon curl its upper lip.
“It’s gonna be at least an hour before he’s done,” said the blonde.
“Then he’ll need to take a break, because we won’t be leaving until we’ve spoken with him.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just not—”
“Either you tell him we’re here,” began Larkin, “or we’ll tell him we’re here.”
The blonde’s lips tightened. “Fine, but he’ll probably ask you to come back later.” She strutted—yeah, literally strutted—over to Kelvin’s station and flirtatiously danced her fingertips along the side of his arm. Whatever she said into his ear had his head whipping around to face Levi and Larkin.
Kelvin seemed to mutter something under his breath. He placed down the tattoo gun, spoke briefly with his client, and then crossed to the reception area. He wore a strained smile. “Trinity said you wanted to talk to me,” he said, his voice low.
Deciding to dive straight to the point, Levi said, “I’m sure you heard Piper was attacked at the deli.”
Kelvin’s expression sobered. “I did. I tried calling to check she was fine, but she never answered.” His gaze darted from Levi to Larkin. “She’s okay, right?”
“She is,” Levi confirmed. “I’m sure you’re aware that she’s my anchor.”
Kelvin nodded.
“So then you’ll also be aware that I’m not going to take kindly to the attack, or to the other things that have happened around Piper lately.”
Kelvin’s brows dipped. “What other things?”
“Incidences of vandalism. All four of her car tires were slashed—and on the very same day you showed up at her house, funnily enough.”
Kelvin’s back snapped straight. “Wait, you’re thinking I might be responsible?”
“He’s quick,” muttered Larkin.
Kelvin’s mouth fell open. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Where were you at lunch time yesterday?” Levi asked him.
The male did a slow blink. “You can’t honestly suspect me.”
“I honestly can. Prove I’m wrong to do so, and tell me where you were during the time of Piper’s attack.”
“I was …” Kelvin trailed off and cursed.
“It would have been smart of you to have your story straight on the off-chance that someone would question you,” said Larkin.
“It’s not a story, it’s the truth,” Kelvin insisted. “But if it gets out, it could cause a good woman some problems.”
Larkin tilted her head. “What woman?”
“A harbinger from another lair. We’ve been seeing each other but keeping it quiet. She has a boyfriend. He’s away on a business trip right now. I was at her house yesterday. It was my day off.”
“And she’ll verify that?”
“If you don’t ask in front of her boyfriend, yes.” He reeled off the name and address of the harbinger. “I wouldn’t hurt Piper.”
Levi hummed. “You must have at least liked the thought of hurting her, or you wouldn’t have fucked your receptionist on Piper’s chair.”
Larkin’s brow hiked up. “You did that? Classy.”
Kelvin’s face reddened.
“You know, Piper thinks you’re good with the breakup,” Levi told him. “I don’t. I think you went along with it because your bruised ego wouldn’t allow you to speak up and admit the truth. It has to be frustrating that you lost her in every sense. She has no interest in even keeping you as a friend. More, you don’t even have a work relationship with her. She works at Urban Ink now.”
Kelvin’s jaw tightened for a mere moment. “I didn’t hurt Piper. Talk to the harbinger. She’ll tell you I was with her yesterday. And no, I didn’t slash Piper’s tires. I’m not into petty shit like that. I’ll bet even she doesn’t believe I did it.”
“She doesn’t,” Levi confirmed. “But she also wouldn’t have believed you’d nail your assistant on her chair, and look what happened there.”
Kelvin flinched. “Point taken. But you’re knocking on the wrong door. I get that you won’t easily dismiss a suspect when Piper’s safety is on the line, but I hope that means you’ll concentrate on other suspects, too. For her sake, don’t focus too much on me out of jealousy.”
Levi’s brow inched up. “Jealousy?”
“I’m her ex. You’re her anchor. You’re naturally going to dislike the idea of her with other men until your possessiveness settles. Personally, I don’t think you’re the type to let your emotions cloud your judgment. But all demons can be irrational when it comes to their psi-mates.”
“True. But by the same token, the partners and exes of demons who’ve found their anchor can be jealous and irrational.”
“They can, but that isn’t the case with me.”
Levi’s demon snorted. It was more than obvious that the guy didn’t like knowing Piper had another male in her life—one who had more rights to her than Kelvin ever had. “For your sake, you’d better be telling the truth.” He turned, dismissing him, and walked out of the shop with Larkin. He arched a brow at her. “Your verdict?”
